Chapter Seven
Theodor
We’re Making Progress
Theodor made his way from his side of the palace with Mozraath on his left. He’d sent the rest of his court to the main foyer to entertain his father’s dignitaries on his behalf so he could have a moment alone to clear his head before dinner.
He’d been so engrossed in what his friend was saying that he hadn’t noticed the unique scent of winter pine coming from the adjacent room. His private room. From Theodor’s position, he could only see Boraleashe’s rigid back where he stood in front of Theodor’s coveted tree.
After Boraleashe’s angry departure earlier, he hadn’t expected to see him again that night.
“What is he doing in here without permission?” Mozraath whispered sternly. “And where are his aides?”
Theodor pfft’d, one side of his mouth tilting into an amused grin. “He is Boraleashe Cavalerie, and if you were in the Arctic World, you will often find him alone.”
“He should still request permission to be in your private hall.”
“Boraleashe commands a wind, Mozraath. And the wind goes where it pleases.”
“Are you not upset?”
“No,” Theodor admitted. “Because right now, it pleases him to be in my quarters.” Theodor walked ahead a few steps, mesmerized by the view in front of him. He turned to his friend. “Leave me alone for a moment, and do not let us be disturbed.”
Mozraath side-eyed Boraleashe, but he did what Theodor asked.
Theodor was always a man who stopped to admire beauty. Observing Boraleashe before his Winter Angel cedar—a tree he crossbred and harvested himself—was one of the most breathtaking views in all the worlds.
Boraleashe’s formal dinner attire was sleek and sparkling white without a wrinkle to be found.
His hair fell down his strong back like an avalanche, and Theodor wanted to bury his nose in it and breathe in the hidden scents of winter.
His hands were clasped together at the base of his spine, his slender, pale neck arched while he stared up at the intricate, weaving branches and the blooming white flowers.
The sun was long gone, and the harvest moon shone through the open rooftop, casting a golden glow across the garden. Boraleashe stood out like a bold sliver of ice, appearing cool and collected in his foreign environment, but Theodor could sense his unease.
Boraleashe had to feel him standing so close behind him, but he never turned to acknowledge him. Theodor sent his wind forward, making the warm breeze rustle the branches over their heads and causing the soft petals to rain down on them.
He pressed his chest against Boraleashe’s back, his gaze cast down at where he dragged his fingertips across Boraleashe’s hands. The muscles in his palms twitched, but he never unclasped them from behind his back. He was using them as a barrier so Theodor couldn’t get too close.
He hated that Boraleashe had seen Biorn of the Cassius province approach him with that horrific last-season bouquet of daisies and canna lilies. He’d brushed off the advance politely enough not to be rude but was clear about his disinterest.
“You are breathtaking, Boraleashe,” Theodor said, breaking the silence.
He didn’t get a verbal response, but he saw the tensions that sat atop Boraleashe’s broad shoulders.
“I planted this the day after I returned from Amárach.” Theodor lowered his voice. “You recognize this tree, yes?”
“Of course I do. This cedar is native to my land only.” Boraleashe’s voice was so deep and rich Theodor wanted to bathe in it. “How are you growing it here?”
“Because it’s in my heart to do so.” Theodor turned Boraleashe in his arms and was again unprepared for his beauty… for his greatness. It was a remarkable shield that hid who the Winter Lord truly was.
Yearning tightened Theodor’s throat, causing him to forget what he’d been about to say.
Lord Boraleashe was flawless on the outside, but Theodor was more drawn to the ugliness and the pain on the inside.
Boraleashe’s stormy gray gaze felt like a cool caress on his face, but the closer Theodor tried to get, the more resistance he met.
Boraleashe’s wind began to swarm in from the north… combating his.
“You can try to fight me.” He wrapped one arm around Boraleashe’s waist and pulled him tight against him. Boraleashe’s eyes opened wide, appearing surprised, before he narrowed them in warning a second later, his wind gusting in through the rooftop. “But your wind is welcome here.”
Boraleashe’s heavy winter robe whipped with his rebellious emotions. Theodor understood more than Boraleashe realized. He squeezed tighter, cupping Boraleashe’s cheek with his other hand, the curse not allowing Boraleashe to feel what Theodor held in his core for him.
Theodor closed his eyes and pulled on his wind with his mind. He inhaled a deep breath, holding it for a long moment before he exhaled slowly, sending his wind rushing in from the south and entangling it with Boraleashe’s frigid wave.
Boraleashe moaned, his eyes falling shut. Theodor pulled from his center again. From the place where he thought of Boraleashe and his wellbeing every day and where he held him every night in his mind. He released from the place where he kept Boraleashe warm and loved.
He sent images of him laying Boraleashe on his bed and feasting on his pale skin. He showed him his favorite fantasy of him on his knees, worshiping Boraleashe’s cock with his mouth before he turned him over and made love to him with slow, deep thrusts.
He sent all those sexy emotions into his wind and disbursed them through his robe.
Boraleashe moaned against his body, slumping into him.
“That’s it. Feel how effortlessly we fit together.” Theodor wrapped their winds around them both, and no matter how hard Boraleashe fought… Theodor was stronger. He tilted Boraleashe’s head to the side and pressed his mouth to his ear. “Let my wind touch your soul.”
Boraleashe
Boraleashe’s panicked mind fought the euphoria Theodor was spreading through him, but his resolve was no match for the king’s.
Boraleashe’s wind was fading, desire burning up his spine.
Bizarre emotions flooded his chest, or was the room spinning because Theodor was more powerful and insistent?
Either way, it felt wonderful and wrong at the same time.
And despite how hard he tried to keep his mouth shut, the moans continued to escape.
Theodor’s winds were gentle and erotic in the way they slid beneath Boraleashe’s tunic and over his bare skin. Heat typically exasperated him to no end, but right now, he wanted all the warmth he could handle, his skin sizzling with flickers of fire where Theodor held him.
“Do I feel good inside you?”
Theodor didn’t open his mouth, his sensual question whispered and carried to Boraleashe on a breeze. Another clever trick the king was showcasing.
“Tell me my wind arouses you, Boraleashe.”
“Mmmm,” he groaned, embarrassed.
“Hold on to me,” Theodor commanded, and Boraleashe was defenseless against the command. He slowly wrapped his arms around Theodor’s solid frame. They were the same height and build—most titans were—but Theodor felt like so much more.
Heat enveloped Boraleashe like a shroud, his chest beating hard. It’d been years since he’d felt this way, years since he’d run from it, years he’d searched the world over for an equal.
He hated that his fair skin probably showed every speck of color spreading across his cheeks.
He buried his face in Theodor’s throat and coasted on his autumn breeze, relaxing into the tight embrace.
He was boneless, his body throbbing for something he didn’t know he could crave, and without thought or resistance, Boraleashe’s soul opened.
“There you are,” Theodor rumbled. “I see you, Boraleashe.”
He was jolted by a fire igniting in his chest, making his blood boil. “Oh gods.”
Theodor grunted, fighting, struggling, when his wind grew more intense.
What are you doing to me?
Electricity shot down Boraleashe’s spine, making him jerk in Theodor’s unflinching grip.
“You believe you are cursed and unlovable, but I was made only for you, Boraleashe.” Theodor whispered the words against his temple, and Boraleashe had zero doubt in his mind that he was indeed. “Your frozen heart is no match for me.”
Boraleashe couldn’t suppress the shudder that racked his body. He wanted to believe so badly. Desperation yanked hard on him, overriding his sense of caution. “Theo—”
“My lords, I apologize for interrupting,” Mozraath murmured, bringing a dramatic halt to Boraleashe’s submission, their combined winds fleeing along with the moment.
“Yet, you did after I specifically asked you not to,” Theodor growled at his friend.
Mozraath appeared apologetic when he responded. “And ordinarily, I would not disobey you. But your father demanded I retrieve you and the guest of honor. The dinner has already commenced, and everyone is waiting.”
“They can continue to wait!” Theodor raged.
Boraleashe shook his head, trying to compose himself, at least enough that he could stand on his own. He slowly pulled away and smoothed his hands down his still-pristine tunic.
“Are you feeling well, Boraleashe?” Theodor asked after Mozraath disappeared on the other side of the door.
Boraleashe nodded, feeling lighter and calmer than he had in a hundred years.